SJU Honored By Delaware County District Attorney

Monday, October 10, 2011

The Delaware County District Attorney’s Office recognized the significant contribution SJU has made to regional homeland security by presenting the University with awards for meritorious service at a ceremony on campus on Monday, Sept. 26.

Delaware County District Attorney G. Michael Green presented the awards to Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Executive Director of the Early Responders Distance Learning Center (ERDLC) Paul DeVito, Ph.D., and Associate Dean of the College of Professional and Liberal Studies and Director of the Graduate Criminal Justice Public Safety Institute Patricia Griffin. District Attorney Green spoke of the enormous resource Saint Joseph’s people and programs have been in supporting local, regional and national public safety agencies.

DA Green thanked the ERDLC staff for their work conducting training and exercises that bring private companies and public safety agencies together in realistic learning environments. The ERDLC’s unique approach allows for businesses to practice their continuity and emergency plans with the people, resources and equipment that would respond to an actual event. The ERDLC has conducted training that includes dealing with terrorism, sabotage, natural disasters and biological events as well as being a provider of online Homeland Security training to the Department of Defense.

Saint Joseph’s Graduate Criminal Justice Program is known for producing the region’s premier Homeland Security leaders for both the public and private sectors. Saint Joseph’s Public Safety Institute regularly conducts seminars and hosts summits that address the challenges facing today’s Homeland Security managers. District Attorney Green highlighted the contribution of Saint Joseph’s Public Safety Institute to the Cobbs Creek Public Safety Initiative. Under this program, Saint Joseph’s faculty and researchers worked to create a communications network for law enforcement agencies so that they could better address criminal enterprises operating in multiple jurisdictions. The Cobbs Creek Initiative is credited with solving several high profile cases including violent carjackings and home invasions throughout southeastern Pennsylvania. Saint Joseph’s University’s role in improving communications among agencies was critical to that success.